Well first of all you need an overview of what the lymphatic system is and does for your body.
Most people know that we have an extensive circulatory system of arteries and veins for the blood.
Well imagine a second system that is just as extensive as the circulatory system in its own way and joins with the circulation, this system is just as important, but with a difference?
The Lymphatic system cleans and maintains your immune system by filtering out organisms that could cause disease by:
- Producing white cells called lymphocytes.
- Draining excess fluids and proteins so that tissues do not swell (oedema), by the distribution of fluids and nutrients.
- It eliminates the by-products of cellular breakdown, bacterial invasion and it fights infection.
- Lymph also plays an important role in absorbing fats from the intestines.
Along these lymphatic vessels are what are known as lymph nodes.
As part of your immune system these lymphatic nodes hold onto 'things', that cannot be dealt with immediately while the lymphocytes within them try to breakdown their toxicity.
This is why people get 'swollen' glands, when they have a throat infection the glands swell.
The body is trying to deal with the infection by holding onto the infection in the lymph nodes until it can be dealt with by the lymphocytes, hence the swollen glands.
 | These lymph glands could be likened to 'mini fortresses' with soldiers on alert and guarding your body = your lymphocytes. Rather like the Great wall of China with its mini fortresses, trying to stop 'invaders' attacking our systems and health. |
There are two areas are of significance in the lymphatic system.
1) The right lymphatic duct which drains lymph fluid from the upper right quadrant of the body above the diaphragm and down the midline.
2) The thoracic (chest) duct, a structure roughly sixteen inches long located in the mediastinum of the pleural cavity which drains the rest of the body.
Other lymphatic areas are in the axilla (arm pit, which is another reason why you should not 'spray' deodorants into these skin areas), the groins, backs of the knees, neck area, and tonsils.
It is through the actions of this system that our body is able to start fighting infection to try ward off attacks from 'foreign invaders'.
The largest lymphoid tissue in the body is the Spleen.
Every organ has some lymphoid tissue connection because of the above reasons explained, in acting as barriers to infection by filtering and trying to destroy whatever is seen as being an attack on the body.
A lot of practitioners think they can apply lymphatic drainage, when they actually can not!
This unfortunately is the way that they have been trained, but it is not the correct way.
The correct lymphatic massage is in small semi circular movements in one area.
It should not be like an effleurage or Swedish massage movement.
If the practitioners hand moves along the skin in any way this is not true lymphatic massage.
True lymphatic massage is known as MLD (Manual Lymphatic Drainage).
The 'touch' of the practitioner should be light and gossamer like.
Lymphatic massage is available at our clinic.
